Suzuribako (Japanese writing box) in lacquer and gold, kōbai fuyō (red plum and hibiscus) decoration by Ichiryō Sakurai

This remarkable Wajima urushi lacquer suzuribako (Japanese writing box) is the work of Ichiryō Sakurai, a maki-e master and an important figure in Wajima lacquerware in the 20th century. On a superbly lustrous black lacquer background unfolds a spectacular kōbai fuyō (red plum and hibiscus) design, combining gold with turquoise blue, green, and red pigments. The expansive composition, the almost pictorial treatment of color, and the luminous variations of the design are characteristic of Sakurai's highly personal work and his interpretation of the Rimpa aesthetic. Accompanied by its inkstone and pure silver suiteki (water dropper), this set constitutes a particularly accomplished example of modern Japanese lacquerware.

The artisan

Ichiryō Sakurai, born in 1919 and now deceased, was an important maki-eshi (maki-e master) from Wajima, where he began his lacquer apprenticeship in 1934. He was selected eleven times for the Nitten, one of Japan's main art exhibitions, and participated in the Japanese Craft Exhibition organized on the occasion of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Soviet Union, where one of his works was acquired by the Soviet Ministry of Culture. He also received several awards at the Ishikawa Contemporary Art Exhibitions, where he also served as a jury member, and was a member of the Ishikawa Art and Culture Association as well as the Wajima Contemporary Artists Association. These recognitions place him among the important figures of Wajima lacquerware of his generation.

His work is distinguished by its bold floral compositions, the particularly developed use of color, and a pictorial conception of maki-e inspired by the Rimpa aesthetic, particularly the painting of Hōitsu Sakai. In particular, he developed iro togidashi maki-e (polished colored maki-e), a technique in which colored lacquers and metallic powders are superimposed and then polished together to bring out both color and metal simultaneously.

Design and techniques

This suzuribako features, on a deep and extremely lustrous black urushi lacquer background, a kōbai fuyō design combining large hibiscus flowers and their broad leaves with branches laden with flowers and buds of the kōbai (red-flowered plum). The very large central flower occupies the heart of the composition, while the leaves and branches spread freely to the edges of the lid and extend onto the sides of the box. This method of allowing the motif to overflow the frame, combined with enlarged and highly stylized plant forms, is characteristic of the Rimpa influence in Sakurai's work.

Rimpa is one of the great Japanese artistic and decorative movements, which appeared at the beginning of the 17th century and is notably characterized by the stylization of nature, asymmetrical compositions, the importance of color and gold, and a very graphic conception of forms. Sakurai is particularly inspired by Hōitsu Sakai, one of its great representatives during the Edo period (An article on Rimpa is available on the Atelier Ikiwa website to delve deeper into this artistic movement, to be found via this link).

The entire design is made in maki-e (metal powder decoration on lacquer) and has a slight relief. The petals, leaves, branches, and veins combine different densities of gold powder and lacquer, with particularly precise detailing.

Color plays as important a role here as gold. Intense blue, red, and green pigments are dispersed on certain leaves and flower buds in diffuse and irregular areas. This treatment corresponds to iro togidashi maki-e (polished colored maki-e), one of Ichiryō Sakurai's characteristic techniques. The motif is first drawn in lacquer, then sprinkled with gold powder. A colored lacquer is then applied over the gold, in place of the semi-transparent lacquer usually used in togidashi maki-e. After hardening, the surface is gradually polished to reveal some of the gold through the color.

This particularly delicate process explains the variations that characterize the design: depending on the incidence of light and the viewing angle, the same surface may appear more golden, green, or blue. On the leaves, Sakurai goes even further by first creating the colored surface using this technique, then, after the lacquer has hardened, separately drawing the veins in lacquer before applying gold again. The buds are worked on using the same principle. The superposition of these different interventions gives the design its particularly detailed and shimmering character, while creating the effects of diffused colored pigments that seem to pass through certain leaves like clouds.

Other parts exhibit a nashiji effect, obtained by irregular dispersion of gold powder on the lacquer layer. Sakurai does not use it here as a uniform background: he integrates it locally into the flowers and leaves, with varying concentrations of gold powder. These shimmering areas gradually blend into the colored flat areas and contribute to the impression of pigment clouds that permeate the design.

The interior of the suzuribako is entirely treated with glossy black lacquer.

Form and use

A suzuribako is a box intended to gather and preserve the instruments necessary for Japanese calligraphy. With its dimensions of 30 × 26 cm, this piece belongs to the category of large suzuribako.

The piece includes a heavy suzuri (inkstone) as well as a suiteki (water dropper) made of pure silver, used to apply water to the stone during ink preparation.

Presentation

This piece is accompanied by its tomobako (paulownia wood protective box), bearing Ichiryō Sakurai's signature and seal, as well as the name of the work. It is also accompanied by a tomonuno (protective cloth) marked with the artisan's seal and a shiori (information document).

Ichiryō Sakurai's gold powder seal also appears on the lid of the suzuribako.

Place of manufacture
Japan, Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture

Period
Late Shōwa era (1926-1989)

Dimensions
Length 30 cm - Width 26 cm - Height 6 cm

Weight
Box with presentation elements: 2.6kg

Materials
Wood, urushi lacquer, gold powder, colored pigments

Condition
Very good condition. Some superficial micro-scratches, without affecting the overall quality.